Azarenka pulls out of Toronto, says Serena is U.S. Open favorite

Victoria Azarenka, who had her 28-match win streak on outdoor hard courts ended in the final of Carlsbad by Samantha Stosur, says she’s not the favorite at the U.S. Open. Azarenka served for the title against Serena Williams in the 2012 final, and also upended the world No. 1 in this year’s Doha final.

“I don’t think you’ll ever make me favorite in U.S. Open when you have Serena,” she said. “Right now it’s not going to happen unless I win one. For me it’s not that important. What’s important is how ready I am and what I’m going to do there. So being the favorite doesn’t guarantee you anything.”

Azarenka, who is coming off knee and hip injuries she suffered at Wimbledon, pulled out of this week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto with a lower back injury. The world No. 2 said during Carlsbad that she’s not 100 percent fit yet.